How to Cook Tapioca Pearls
This recipe shows you how to cook tapioca pearls so that you can achieve the perfect texture - soft and chewy!
Equipment
- Pan
- Measuring Cup
- Strainer
Ingredients
- 6 cups water
- 1 cup tapioca pearls
- ¼ cup brown sugar
Instructions
- Prepare the Water. Boil 6 cups of water in a large pot. Use 6 cups of water for every cup of tapioca pearls to ensure that they have enough room to cook evenly. The pearls will expand as they cook, so don’t skimp on the water.
- Cook the Pearls. Once the water reaches a rolling boil, add 1 cup of tapioca pearls to the pot. Stir for one minute until they float. This prevents them from sticking together or to the bottom of the pot. Allow water to return to a boil and reduce heat to medium. Partially cover with lid and cook for 25 minutes. Stir every 5 minutes to prevent clumping.
- Rest the Pearls. Turn off and remove from heat. Cover with lid. Let the tapioca pearls sit in the hot water for another 10 minutes. This helps them achieve the perfect texture - soft and chewy.
- Rinse and Sweeten. Drain the pearls and rinse them with cold water to remove any excess starch. Return the pearls to the pot and add 1/4 cup brown sugar. Mix and let stand for 5 minutes before serving. Consume within 4-6 hours with your favourite drink of choice.
Notes
Use 6 cups of water for every cup of tapioca pearls to ensure that they have enough room to cook evenly. The pearls will expand as they cook, so don’t skimp on the water.
The pearls should turn completely translucent with a slight chew in the center when they’re done. If you see a white dot in the center, it means they need more time.
Test a pearl by biting into it—it should be soft but still have a bit of resistance, like al dente pasta.
Sweeten the tapioca pearls in a 4:1 tapioca:brown sugar ratio.
Tapioca pearls are best used fresh (within 4-6 hours), so avoid cooking them too far in advance. They tend to harden after sitting for too long.
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